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Carolina (3-4) at New Orleans (7-0)

Cloudy Currently: New Orleans, LA
Temp: 63° F
  • Game info: 4:05 pm EST Sun Nov 8, 2009
  • TV: FOX

By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA, STATS Senior Writer Nov 4, 5:44 pm EST

Preview | Box Score | Recap
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Outstanding play at the Superdome has helped Drew Brees(notes) and the New Orleans Saints match the best start in their history. The Carolina Panthers certainly haven’t minded playing there, either.

The Saints have a chance to go 8-0 for the first time Sunday, but they’ll have to find a way to snap a seven-game home losing streak to a Panthers team that is hitting its stride.

Four of New Orleans’ wins have been at the Superdome, where it is beating opponents by an average of 15.3 points. The Saints matched the best start in franchise history with a 35-27 home win over Atlanta on Monday night.

Only the 1991 Saints started a season with seven straight victories.

“I think our best is yet to come,” said Brees, who leads an offense that is averaging an NFL-best 39.0 points per game.

Brees passed for 308 yards and two touchdowns versus the Falcons. He has completed 72.9 percent of his passes for 1,225 yards and 12 TDs with two interceptions at home this season, but has lost all three of his games there against Carolina (3-4).

Brees’ four TD passes at home versus the Panthers on Dec. 28 weren’t enough. John Kasay(notes) made a 42-yard field goal with 1 second left as Carolina won 33-31 to set a franchise record with 12 victories.

It was the Panthers’ seventh straight win at New Orleans since a 27-23 loss Dec. 2, 2001. Carolina is averaging 27.0 points in the last six games during that streak.

The Panthers enter this contest having won three of four, beating Arizona 34-21 last Sunday, but this will be their toughest test so far.

New Orleans has complemented Brees with a strong running game and an opportunistic defense.

Pierre Thomas(notes) rushed for a score and caught a TD pass against Atlanta. Thomas, Mike Bell(notes) and Reggie Bush(notes) have each gotten at least 47 carries for a running game that is ranked fourth in the NFL, averaging 153.3 yards a contest.

The Saints have given up an average of 29.3 points in their last three games after surrendering a total of 17 in their previous two, but their secondary continues to make big plays.

Jabari Greer(notes) returned an interception for a 48-yard score Monday night after getting burned for a deep TD. It was New Orleans’ fifth touchdown on an interception this season, tying the franchise record set in 1998.

Darren Sharper(notes) picked off his seventh pass, giving the Saints 16 overall. They have at least one INT in every game.

“The way we’ve been able to (get turnovers) and score is a big reason we’re where we’re at right now,” coach Sean Payton said.

Panthers quarterback and New Orleans native Jake Delhomme(notes) has thrown an NFL-worst 13 interceptions, but he’s coming off his first turnover-free game.

Delhomme threw his first TD pass to a wide receiver this season, a 50-yarder to Steve Smith, and managed the game well as Carolina relied on a dominant running game versus the Cardinals.

Delhomme left the game after getting hit in the chest while throwing a pass in the third quarter, but a CT scan showed no internal injuries and he hasn’t missed any practice time.

The veteran, who began his career with New Orleans, is 5-0 with a 104.7 passer rating in road games against the Saints, throwing five TDs with one interception. Delhomme completed 70.0 percent (14 for 20) of his passes for 250 yards and a TD in last December’s game at New Orleans.

DeAngelo Williams(notes) rushed for 178 yards and Jonathan Stewart(notes) added 56 for the Panthers in that contest. The duo combined for 245 yards and two scores versus Arizona, which entered with the NFL’s No. 1 ranked rushing defense.

Carolina is averaging 217.6 yards rushing in its last three games after failing to reach 100 in three of its first four.

“I think we’ve run the ball pretty effectively over the last month,” coach John Fox said. “That’s not the area we’ve been concerned with.”

Turnovers had been Fox’s main concern, but Delhomme’s last performance was promising. Fox is also getting spectacular play from defensive end Julius Peppers(notes), who was criticized for his slow start.

Peppers had a leaping interception that he returned 13 yards for a TD last week, and had his sixth sack in four games.

“All of the naysayers and people that are saying this and that about Julius Peppers, well you can say what you want about him, but we love him,” linebacker Thomas Davis(notes) said.

Updated Nov 4, 5:44 pm EST
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Team Comparison

Team Records Standings PF PA Road/Home AFC NFC DIV Streak
Carolina 4-6-0 3rd NFC South 193 239 2-3-0 Road 0-2-0 4-4-0 2-2-0 Lost 1
New Orleans 9-0-0 1st NFC South 331 197 5-0-0 Home 3-0-0 6-0-0 2-0-0 Won 9

Notes

No team notes.

QB Drew Brees gave it a good try Sunday, but fell just short of Dan Marino's NFl single-season record of 5,084 passing yards set in 1984. Brees completed 30-of-49 passes for 386 yards to come within 16 yards of Marino's record. He finished the year with 5,069 yards, becoming just the second quarterback to pass for 5,000 yards in a single season. "It wasn't meant to be," said Brees, who threw three TD passes in the fourth quarter, when the Saints rallied from a 30-10 deficit before Carolina prevailed on a last-second field goal. "I had no idea throughout the day. I was just playing and trying to get us back in the game. It was exciting. I didn't know until we got in the locker room. It just wasn't meant to be." ... RB Deuce McAllister rushed for 40 yards on eight carries in what might have been his final appearance for the Saints. McAllister, who had a limited role this year due to knee problems, is set to make $7.2 million next season.

Dec 28, 7:56 pm EST
NFL

256 Comments

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  1. Elijah
    256. Posted by Elijah Thu Nov 12 10:57pm EST

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    I think the saintsare a great team,and will run tha race; all that thought it could not be done, just keep watching. Neverthaless they will show what they are made of..WHO DAT, so go saints...
  2. ERIC N
    255. Posted by ERIC N Tue Nov 10 10:10pm EST

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    253. Jimmy I think you mean Danny Abramawicz...and Russell Erxleben was a kicker that played for the Saints in the 80's...did you mean that you saw Erxleben play at Tulane Stadium???? Are you sure you are a Saints fan????
  3. Charming
    254. Posted by Charming Mon Nov 9 6:58pm EST

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    Awesome game. Great comeback. Tighten up that run defense and make us proud! Bless you BOYS!
  4. Jimmy
    253. Posted by Jimmy Mon Nov 9 5:10pm EST

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    i've watched the Saints in Tulane stadium,with Billy Kilmer,Abramowitz,etc.Who can forget Dempsy.And of course sharpshooter Russle erksomething.Oh and the bags.Man this is a hoot.I wish they would televise them on the major networks.I can afford the small cable package which doesn't include espn.In Vegas they televise them at the casino's,but what a pain in the ass.Any way there winning and sometimes coming from behind to do it.Geaux Saints.
  5. <i>prochevy</i>
    252. Posted by prochevy Mon Nov 9 4:44pm EST

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    Oh when the Saints go marching in!!!!
    GO SAINTS!!!!
  6. Jimmy
    251. Posted by Jimmy Mon Nov 9 4:41pm EST

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    1st of all WTG SAINTS, 2nd. i was in the dome on that 1979 monday night game, they was up 42 to 0 going into the 4th guarter and lost..45-42 It was against the raiders when the snake was QB...anyways WHO DAT, WHO DAT, WHO DAT TALKING ABOUT BEATING THEM SAINTS...i Live in Dallas and i can't wait till the Saints kick the cowgirls azz....
  7. Cory
    250. Posted by Cory Mon Nov 9 4:21pm EST

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    239. Posted by Greg S Mon Nov 9 1:52pm EST Report Abuse
    Ultimately, the 'Aints will crumble...

    WHO DAT NATION? What is this a late 90s rap group?


    --- More like a great early 90's rap group which was Ulitimately Awesome!! GEAUX SAINTS!! WHO DAT NATION!! CHA CHING!! Bring 'em on 8-0 you sore loser
  8. Khilar
    249. Posted by Khilar Mon Nov 9 4:15pm EST

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    Thats cool that we won. thats all i wanted. first lutcher bulldogs won, then tulane won and lsu lose(drove) then the saints won and thats all i wanted
  9. fred h
    248. Posted by fred h Mon Nov 9 3:22pm EST

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    #133- The difference between 1st and 2nd half production is adjustments. For so many years we have seen other teams make adjustments at half time and come out and wipe the field up with the Saints. This year it is the Saints making the adjustments at half time. It is a welcome change. They are doing it whether they are ahead or trailing at the half. As to those of you who are already having the Patriots winning the game in three weeks; what makes you so sure. The Saints have posted 303 points to the Patriots 225 of which they got 59 just off the Titans. Of the 8 games played they faced 4 of the same opponents. I realize that the Saints gave up 59 more points but the points scored kind of made up for it. Don't be too shocked if your Patriots go home with their tail between their legs. As for the Saints not going to the Superbowl, that's always possible but I seem to recall that the Steelers played for about 39 years before they got there, and then terry Bradshaw and company won about 4 of the next 5 or 6 bowls. As for S.D. trading Brees, if memory serves me well, They cut him because of his shoulder injury and Rivers prospects. I believe he was a free agent and the Saints and Dolphins are the only ones to have any interest and Saban passed up on him. God blessed the New Orleans that day that Drew became a Saint. They still have some stiff competition left so if they are fortunate enough to go undefeated in the regular season it won't be by luck but simply by skill. Luck will apply if they get (5) of their (6) best starters back from injuries. That will also shore up their run defense.
  10. morbidmunk77
    247. Posted by morbidmunk77 Mon Nov 9 3:19pm EST

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    Greg S, Ultimately your not a very bright person. The Saints have shown this season, that they arent the Saints of old you moron. In the old days, as much as I hate to say it fans. We would blow a good lead & most of the time lose. That isnt the case anymore dirtbag. We got the whole package now. Or havent you been watching any of the games instead of running off at the mouth. WE ARE THE TEAM TO BEAT NOW. A team gets ahead it just makes the BLACK & GOLD play that much better. The Saints are for real and anyone who thinks its a fluke is just plain ignorant. Look at our stats baby. GEAUX SAINTS. WHO DAT?
  11. Wayne F
    246. Posted by Wayne F Mon Nov 9 3:16pm EST

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    The last 2 games against Falcons & Panthers were won 3 weeks ago in Miami. That win proved to the Saints that they could overcome adversity if they continue to play for 60 minutes. That said, they should use the next 2 games to figure out and correct a lot of the errors that contributed to their slow starts the last 3 games. Though on any given Sunday anything is possible, the truth is that neither the Rams or Bucs pose the same threats that the Saints have faced their last 3 games. They should get back to pounding Pierre and Bell, and, keep the pressure off of Brees and the passing game. They need to get back to dominating teams from start to finish as they prepare for the home stretch, beginning with Patriots on Monday night. Let's lock up the division title and then home field throughout playoffs. Roll Saints!
  12. Goffen M
    245. Posted by Goffen M Mon Nov 9 2:37pm EST

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    I've been a Saints fan since I first saw them back in 1977, and even though I now live in Southern Cali (Reggie's neck of the woods, lol) I bleed Black & Gold. I've loved them in the BAD times, I loved them in the GOOD times, more often than not BAD, but I still love them. All you Saints Haters will never understand. If we go 16-0, or if we win the Superbowl or if we lose the rest of our games, or lose in the Playoffs TRUE SAINTS FAN will never stop loving our team.

    NOW WITH THAT BEING SAID:

    This is truly a different team from any before. Teams of the past would have lost the last 3 games, this team knows HOW TO WIN. All the haters keep saying, "Saints have not done this or that" well lets check on that list.

    Saints never won a game after bye week with Brees and Payton.
    CHECK
    Brees never won against Miami Dolphins or when he has thrown 3 Int's.
    CHECK
    Saints have not won at home against Panters in last 7 years.
    CHECK
    Saints never been 8-0
    CHECK
    Saints will not go 16-0
    CHECK BACK AT THE END OF THE SEASON
    Saints will never go or win a SuperBowl
    CHECK BACK Feb 8, 2010!!!

    WHO DAT!!!
  13. MatthewL
    244. Posted by MatthewL Mon Nov 9 2:37pm EST

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    does greg have to start every sentence with "ultimately"?
  14. Gerrit
    243. Posted by Gerrit Mon Nov 9 2:30pm EST

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    Greg S, You team is crumbling right befor your very eyes as we GO MARCHING IN ! I told all you carolina punk a$$ b!tches friday we were gonna whoop your a$$ but the only thing anyone can do is still call us aints and pray that we fail but week after week we RISE ! HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA dumb a$$, now this sunday can carolina and atlanta beat the crap out each other ! battle of the losers and tampa`s got the winner HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA stupid simpleton's. GO SAINTS GO !
  15. John F
    242. Posted by John F Mon Nov 9 2:19pm EST

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    Hell Yeah!! Who Dat all the way to the Super Bowl !!
  16. Jason
    241. Posted by Jason Mon Nov 9 1:56pm EST

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    greg that fact is that carolina didn't do much the second quater either. saints had an answer for everything Fox was trying to do. Saints are just an all around better team than most.
  17. <i>nathannelson14</i>
    240. Posted by nathannelson14 Mon Nov 9 1:54pm EST

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    The Saints did it again! Way to come from behind! 16-0 Who dat!
  18. Greg S
    239. Posted by Greg S Mon Nov 9 1:52pm EST

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    Ultimately, the 'Aints will crumble...

    WHO DAT NATION? What is this a late 90s rap group?
  19. Greg S
    238. Posted by Greg S Mon Nov 9 1:51pm EST

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    The Panthers played well but ultimately came out flat in the 2nd Half, which lays on the shoulders of Fox...it just puzzles me to see such a great team being brought down b/c of the lack of talent at one position...Jake, go back to your horses all ready...

    ...and, Who Dat? Well that's the dumbest thing I've ever heard.
  20. Jason
    237. Posted by Jason Mon Nov 9 1:40pm EST

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    saints really need to think about trading bush. For a solid starter on defense, or a top 10 first round pick. Like I said before. He has done well for the city of New Orleans, just not the Saints of New Orleans. Bell, Thomas, and Hamilton do just fine. Sorry bush just not a saint.
  21. JaySlimm337
    236. Posted by JaySlimm337 Mon Nov 9 1:35pm EST

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    Who Dat!!!!!
  22. Anita
    235. Posted by Anita Mon Nov 9 12:55pm EST

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    Great game guys. thanks for all you do on and off the field.
  23. Chase C
    234. Posted by Chase C Mon Nov 9 12:55pm EST

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    Being at the game yesterday and having someone give a pre-game cheer before we entered the Dome was unreal.. "never before seen" "they need us as we need them". Are some of the words said as he took sips of the beer of choice. Being inside that Dome I have been in since a kid was never that electric. Saints fans new and old are needed. It gives this place a sense realism.. For all who doubt the Saints are real need a gut check. You can try and pick apart why they won but they are the excuses because perfect is and always will be scrutinized. As individual members they are flawed but as the 2009/10 New Orleans Saints they are perfect.
  24. morbidmunk77
    233. Posted by morbidmunk77 Mon Nov 9 12:43pm EST

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    Yeah Big john I watched him every damn game and im not the only one sayin it. He did a couple dance moves yesterday, when if he woulda plowed ahead. He would've got at least 5 more yards each time. Dont tell me to lay off. Im a big fan of Mr. Bush. And one of the biggest Saints fans there is. Ive stuck by my team for over 35 years. Never wore a bag and thought the fans who did were @#$%s. Reggie has the power and he needs to use it more often is all Im saying brother. We're on the same side o' da fence so chill. Geaux Saints. WHO DAT?
  25. niceygc
    232. Posted by niceygc Mon Nov 9 12:37pm EST

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    I live in Atlanta, but my heart is with the Saints...who dat??? The big test will be when the Pats come to town...if they can survive the Pats, then I think they can take the NFC title. They match up well with the Pats on the field, but the game will be won or lost from the aspect of the Saints handling the hype and pressure (media) of playing the Pats. If the Saints are undefeated, it will be even greater. Either way, it should be a great game. I love the Pats and Saints, because I love teams that strive to be excellent year after year(Pats) and teams that are trying to formulate a plan to be excellent (Saints). GO SAINTS AND GO PATS....I'd love to see them both in the SUPER BOWL!!!!!
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